Who is a Runner in Cricket?

A runner in cricket is a player who runs from one wicket to the other instead of an injured batsman. But do not be surprised if this is the first time you hear about such a player’s role in the batting team: since 2011, according to the decision of the ICC, the rules do not provide for such a way of playing in international cricket.

Who is a runner in cricket?

A runner is a player who an injured batsman calls during a match. The referees allow him to be used during a match if the following two conditions are met:

1. The batsman is injured so much that his ability to perform runs has deteriorated.
2. The injury was sustained during the match.

If these conditions are not met, then the use of him during the match is not allowed.

A runner that is involved must meet several conditions:

1. To be, of course, a member of the batting team.
2. If possible, he should be one of those who has already taken on the role of a batsman in the current innings. If the runner is a player who has not yet played in the position of a batsman, then as soon as a player appears who can replace him (the one who has already been a batsman), he becomes a runner.
3. He may only be changed during a match with the approval of the referee.
4. He wears the same equipment as the batsman and holds a bat in his hands.
5. There is no Penalty time on his account.

He usually stands on the square leg to be able to make a run between the wickets.

The match where this player participates usually looks like this:

• The striker batsman stands in his position and hits the balls as usual.
• If the ball is hit successfully, the striker batsman does not make runs between the wickets – the runner does it instead.
• A striker batsman who plays in a pair with a runner is responsible for any violation has committed by him. He is also eliminated if the runner is out according to the rules of cricket.

Why are runners not used in international cricket?

In 2011, the Cricket Committee issued recommendations according to which the ICC banned batsmen from involving runners in international matches. At that time, they had been an integral part of cricket matches for more than a hundred years (they first appeared in the MCC’s Laws of Cricket rules in 1884), but their involvement often caused a lot of controversies. For example, in 2009, during the Champions Trophy, Andrew Strauss refused Graeme Smith to attract a runner, although this player suffered from seizures. According to Andrew, the cramps were only a side effect of playing for a long time, and Graham argued that a runner was allowed to enter the game in such cases in the past, so the rules were being applied inconsistently. A similar case had occurred a year earlier with Michael Clarke, who also suffered from seizures.

The reason for the ban on the use of them, the ICC called the fact that most of the violations of rules and ethical norms are associated with the use of them.

According to Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief at that time, cricket was in an unpleasant position when runners began to be used, violating the spirit of the game because it is always quite difficult for the referee to determine how real the injury of the batsman is and whether the use of a runner is a tactical technique to gain an advantage over the opposing team. Of course, this, like any actions that lead to foul play, is contrary to the spirit of cricket.

The ban on the use of them was also intended to eliminate the possible inequality between batsmen and bowlers because if a bowler is injured, he cannot attract another player to help him. In this sense, the use of runners is initially an abuse.

Therefore, since 2011, there will be no runners in international cricket (at least in those matches held under the auspices of the ICC). A large part of the sports community supported this decision. The recommendations of the ICC Cricket Committee and national leagues followed; for example, Indian Premier League teams are also prohibited from attracting them.